Leaving the Military as a Conscientious Objector
Military service requires commitment to national defense and conflict. But not everyone who joins keeps that commitment. When an active-duty member develops a moral or ethical conviction that conflicts with military duty, they may consider applying for a discharge as a conscientious objector (CO). What does it take to leave the United States military in this way?
>> Find Out What Military Benefits You’re Missing — Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox.
Leaving the Military as a Conscientious Objector
There are misconceptions about leaving the military in this way. One example? You cannot be approved as a conscientious objector on the basis of an objection to a single military order or assignment. There are nuances in this area as we discover below.
Criteria for a Conscientious Objector
The DoD defines a conscientious objector as a person whose religious, moral, or ethical convictions firmly oppose all participation in war. This definition sets a high standard. The objection must be universal; it cannot oppose only a specific conflict. All applications are judged against three standards.
Sincerity of Belief. The core requirement is the sincerity of the applicant’s beliefs. The individual must show that their objection is honest, deeply felt, and comparable to a religious conviction in their life. The belief system must be the primary force guiding their decisions.
Nature of the Beliefs. The objection must stem from genuine religious instruction, belief, or a moral code comparable to traditional religious devotion. Claims based solely on political, sociological, or philosophical preferences are insufficient.
Opposition to War in Any Form. The objection must be absolute and universal. The applicant must oppose all armed conflict, including combatant and non-combatant roles. The inability to participate in any action that supports warfare is essential to a successful claim.
One important requirement for active-duty personnel is demonstrating that these core beliefs formed after enlistment. If the conviction pre-dated service, the initial enlistment undermines the current sincerity of the objection. The application must therefore trace the objection’s development from the date of military entry to the date of application.
>> Find Out What Military Benefits You’re Missing — Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox.
The Application and Documentation
The process begins at the local level when the service member formally notifies their unit commander. The commander then assigns the individual to non-combatant duties, where practical, while the application is reviewed.
One of the most important documents in the application packet is the Personal Statement. This document must be typewritten and serve as a detailed, autobiographical account. It must contain:
- An explanation of the claim, including an explanation as to how these beliefs originated or changed since entering the service.
- A chronological record of the belief’s evolution, identifying the specific experiences, events, or individuals that caused the change.
- A description of how the individual’s life now reflects the beliefs (e.g., changes in lifestyle, reading, or community involvement).
- A clear statement identifying any military duties the applicant will perform, such as non-combatant military service, alternative civilian service, if the application is approved.
- A necessary explanation for any past actions, statements, or training participation that conflicts with the stated opposition to all war.
The packet must also include notarized Letters of Reference from those familiar with the applicant’s character and the depth of their convictions. These statements support the claim’s sincerity.
The Investigative and Interview Process
Chaplain Interview. The applicant meets with a military Chaplain. The Chaplain evaluates the ethical or theological nature of the claim and prepares a written report assessing the depth of the conviction.
Psychiatrist/Medical Officer Interview. The service member must undergo a mental health evaluation by a military physician. This interview ensures the claim is not the result of a temporary mental condition but is a stable moral change.
Investigating Officer (IO) Hearing. The unit commander assigns an Investigating Officer (IO). The IO conducts a formal, non-adversarial hearing to investigate the facts of the case. The IO questions the applicant about their statement and interview references and conducts a background review. The applicant may attend, present evidence, and retain counsel.
The IO then compiles a comprehensive report. It includes the findings on the applicant’s sincerity and whether the claim satisfies the DoD criteria.
>> Find Out What Military Benefits You’re Missing — Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox.
Final Review and Outcomes
The complete file, including all interview reports and the IO’s recommendation, proceeds through the chain of command for review by legal and personnel offices. The final decision authority rests with the Secretary of the military department.
If the application is approved, the service member receives one of two classifications:
1-O Objector (Total Separation). The member objects to combatant and non-combatant service. They are discharged and become subject to the Selective Service System, requiring two years of alternative civilian service.
1-A Objector (Non-Combatant Service). The member objects to the use of force but agrees to perform duties that do not involve military force (e.g., healthcare, administration). They remain in the military but are permanently assigned to non-combatant roles.
If the application is denied, the administrative decision is generally final. The service member must resume full military duties. While further administrative appeal is limited, the applicant may seek recourse through the civilian federal court system, arguing that the denial resulted from a procedural error.
The military’s discharge process is strict. It requires an applicant to demonstrate that their universal opposition to war is sincere, deeply rooted, and developed after entering service. The application’s strength depends on the claimant’s ability to clearly document this change in conviction.
>> Find Out What Military Benefits You’re Missing — Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
